National Onion Day 2024: 11+ Facts You Need to Know About Onions

Today, June 27, is National Onion Day, a day dedicated to this versatile and beloved plant in the amaryllis family. Not only is the onion delicious, it’s also rich in history and health benefits.

Whether you’re a gourmet chef or a home cook, National Onion Day offers an opportunity to explore and appreciate this versatile vegetable.

What is the history of National Onion Day?

National Onion Day is a relatively young holiday, established in 2019. It was created by the National Onion Association, an organization representing U.S. onion producers, to celebrate two things:

  • Onions Themselves: Onions have a long and rich history and are believed to have been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. They are a staple ingredient in many cuisines around the world.
  • National Onion Association: The association was founded in 1913, and National Onion Day is its official founding date, June 27th.

Therefore, National Onion Day is a day to appreciate onions and support organizations that grow onions in the United States.

National Onion Day 2024: The Facts

  1. According to the American Onion Association, “Most researchers agree that onions have been cultivated for more than 5,000 years. Since onions grow wild in all regions, it is likely that onions were consumed thousands of years ago and were domesticated in various parts of the world at the same time.”
  2. Onions are rich in nutrients. Onions are high in vitamins C, B6 and K, as well as fiber and manganese.
  3. The largest onion ever grown weighed 8.9 kg!
  4. The ancient Egyptians worshipped onions. They believed that the onion’s concentric circles and spherical shape were a symbol of eternity. Onions were even placed in the tombs of the dead.
  5. There are many different types of onions, each with its own unique flavor and color. The most common types of onions are yellow, white, red, and green.
  6. Onions can make you cry. When you cut onions, they release a gas called sulfinic acid. This gas can irritate your eyes and cause tears.
  7. The world’s largest onion consumer is Libya. According to the National Onion Association, the average Libyan eats about 68.8 pounds of onions per year.
  8. Onions absorb flavors from other foods. That’s why they’re often used as a base for soups and stews.
  9. Onions were once used as currency. In the Middle Ages, people used onions to pay rent and purchase goods and services.
  10. According to Vee’s Produce, “Yellow onions account for more than 75% of the world’s onion production.”
  11. The official vegetable of Texas is the sweet onion.

Read | Important dates in June 2024: List of national and international dates

Leave a Comment